The Los Angeles Lakers went with JJ Redick for their 2024-2025 and beyond coaching duties, a decision that feels like a smart one after Dan Hurley turned down the Lake Show to return to Storrs, Connecticut.
With the Lakers' hiring of JJ Redick as head coach, it's time to make our bold predictions for the 2024-2025 Lakers season.
The Lakers finished 47-35 last season, a solid if unspectacular record that ended with the Lake Show being unceremoniously tossed from the first round of the playoffs by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray's Denver Nuggets. The Lakers reeled off a 28-14 record at home last season but were the only playoff team with a losing record on the road in the Western Conference.
For Redick to whip the Lakers into playoff contenders, they will need to focus on a road warriors mentality ahead of the 2024-2025 season and become mentally tougher. Fans often complained about Anthony Davis and LeBron James taking plays or even full games off due to injury and/or disinterest. James is 39 years old going on 40 and has always been the type of player to conserve his energy for the playoff stretch run so fans shouldn't expect too much difference in that respect.
Redick is reportedly eyeing assistant coaches with eight NBA titles between them, a development that could add to the Lakers' staff's playoff viability next season. Meanwhile, the fallout from the Dan Hurley news cycle continued with reports that some members of the Lakers front office felt that the NCAA title winning UConn coach felt that he “used” them during the potential hiring process.
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With the NBA Draft looming and the Lakers currently holding tight to the 17th overall pick, it's time to share our way-too-early Los Angeles Lakers bold predictions for the 2024-2025 season, with JJ Redick in command of LA's ship:
1. The Lakers Will Select a Shooter With Pick 17-
Watching Redick and LeBron James dissect offensive principles on the duo's ‘Mind the Game' podcast has been a breath of fresh air for diehard, cerebrally focused basketball fans.
One thing James and Redick have in common is they both know the immense value of the three-point shot in today's basketball and will do everything they can to mold a Lakers team in that image.
Expect the Lakers to draft someone who can stroke it from deep in this year's draft, which would allow for better spacing for Anthony Davis down low and would set up James for his patented drive-and-kick plays.
Top three pointer shooters at this slot include Kyshawn George of the Miami Hurricanes, who shot over 40 percent from distance last season, and DaRon Holmes of Dayton, a 6-foot-9 forward who hit at a nearly 40% clip last year with the Flyers.
2. The Lakers Will Be More Entertaining-
Darvin Ham is a likeable guy but Lakers fans became miffed at the former LA coach's lack of flexibility in terms of gameplans and Xs and Os acumen, or lack thereof, that left much to be desired.
The Lakers will now have a certified master strategist, high IQ basketball mind running the show in the City of Angels.
Redick and LeBron's chemistry will be put to the test early and often, but both players are such smart basketball minds that good things are likely to come from this partnership starting in week one and beyond.
3. The Lakers Will Win At Least 50 Games-
The Lakers almost hit the 50-win mark last season and would have made it easily if they had played better on the road. The Lake Show still needs additional help at key positions including point guard, where D'Angelo Russell doesn't appear to be the answer and may be headed out of town, and center where Anthony Davis desperately needs another big man to back him up.
Talented role players like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Obi Toppin are said to be possible fits for the Lake Show this offseason. With the right tweaks and roster retooling, the Lakers have the potential to become an entirely different team by the time next season rolls around— one that still relies on James, Davis and Austin Reaves, but in a much more balanced and holistic way conducive to late season success.
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